Wednesday, November 15, 2017

It is the time of year when I begin creating advent calendars, and this year's version is an interactive ball gown. Where is the ball? With the right attitude, the right gown, and the right accessories, the ball is wherever and whenever you say it is. The version above is for an eight-year-old recipient. The one below is for a six-year-old recipient. As this narrative progresses you will see the gowns unfurl.

Advent ball gown for six-year-old

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These gowns began with a search at the thrift store for promising "base" dresses - the wackier the better. Starting with size small dresses and armed with the recipients' measurements, I then took the dresses in to fit at waist, chest, and shoulders/armholes. Note that the green dress above has a stretch torso, making fitting easier, but it was still taken in about two inches on each side.

The next step was to cut 25 sections of tulle, with each section comprised of two to three pieces of tulle. The tulle was attached at the waist of each dress. A little square of rough-cut cloth covers the top of each section of tulle, as shown below. This is brash, bold, we-don't-care-if-it-clashes sewing.

Anchoring down the top of each tulle section

A few ribbon embellishments adorned with bells or jewels were added to some of the tulle sections to add to the frivolity.

Each tulle section was then used individually to package a daily prize, including a chocolate coin (a yearly advent tradition) and a bead, in accord with this year's accessory theme. A few pieces of bling (rhinestone brooch, stick-on jewels) are included as occasional added treats. Tulle is wrapped around the objects at the bottom to enclose the contents, then rolled upward and tied off with a bow. Another little section of ribbon containing the date of the month is attached to each bow.

Loot bags, string, bling, beads and chocolate coins

The recipients each receive a loot bag along with their calendar at the beginning of the month. The loot bag includes instructions and two types of string for making jewelry. As they unwrap their beads each day, they stash them in their loot bags until they have enough to start stringing and making their own jewelry.

And here is what the gowns will look like on December 25, once all the little packages are open and all of the tulle is unfurled:

Gown for eight-year-old

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Gown for six-year-old

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One can only imagine the final splendor when the gowns are adorned with hand-crafted bracelets and necklaces. As a young man in San Francisco once told me: "Accessories are everything."